"Home is Wherever You Are" with the SK6ERS in Athens

I have been a fan of Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers since the fall of 2010, when a friend of mine told me to listen to them. I obliged, and within a few minutes of YouTubing a few of their songs, I had gone to their website to order their newest album at the time, Glassjaw Boxer.  Though this is a relatively new band in my repertoire (they started in 2003.. I'm behind the times, apparently), it was like a whirlwind romance, as my love grew quickly for the music of these Massachusetts natives.  Glassjaw Boxer has insightful lyrics, many written by Stephen Kellogg, expressing his love for his family, and a clear American folk-rock influence.  

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In October of 2011, SK6ERS released their newest album, Gift Horse, and as obsessed as I was with Glassjaw Boxer, I learned that Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers only get better with time.  Gift Horse is a well-rounded album, both upbeat and emotional.  It begins with their popular single, Gravity (official music video below), a free-spirited message of positivity and humility, and finishes off with Noelle, Noelle, a tear-jerking song for Kellogg's daughter that expresses a father's desire to always protect his little girl.  I adore the lyric in Gravity, saying, "It's okay in the clouds, but I love it, right here, with my feet on the ground".  Rules to live by.  (Read my top 10 favorite SK6ERS lyrics below!)

Now, through all of this time, I've never gotten to see these guys perform!  I know, it's a crying shame.  So when I heard that they'd be in the Atlanta area three times (yes, THREE) over the course of this winter, I did my research to see which show they would be headlining and which would be the most bang for my buck.  I decided upon their March 8th show in Athens, Georgia, as part of their "Home is Wherever You Are" (that's a line from their song, My Favorite Place, on their Gift Horse album... check it out) tour.  It was at the Foundry at Puritan Mill's venue, Melting Point, and probably the smallest, most intimate show they had out of the 3 in the Atlanta area, but that's exactly what I like... an up close and personal performance.  Not only was I wowed (as expected) by Stephen's vocal performance but I was super impressed by the wide range of instrumental talent that Kit "The Goose" Karlson showed-- piano, tuba, accordion, and more.  Not to mention, some RIDICULOUS guitar skills by Sam Getz and some rhythmic perfection on the drums by Brian "Boots" Factor. 

All in all, if you haven't made it to see one of Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers' shows, you must find time in your schedule to squeeze this in.  You'll thank me, I promise.  Their "Home is Wherever You Are" tour is still in full swing with  a handful of shows in the northeast left.  If you don't make it in time, iTunes is your friend. 



Check out the SK6ERS official website here:  http://www.sk6ers.com/

Nicole's Top 10 SK6ERS Lyrics (Mostly from "Glassjaw Boxer" and "Gift Horse", in no particular order):
1.  "She was on fire and wild and American"
2.  "Brown-eyed actress"  (I'm sure you can't guess why on Earth I'd like that one)
3.  "Did you ever think that, maybe, if you're not happy, it's because of you?"
4.  "And I'll wear your memory underneath my shirt like an Indian tattoo"
5.  "It's okay in the clouds, but I love it, right here, with my feet on the ground"
6.  "She's got a sun kissed smile that the winter won't go near.  And her hips could shake a mountain and her              lips could start a fire."
7.  "Call it artistic or agnostic, altruistic, now I've lost it.  This uncertainty just gets to me."
8.  "I don't have the time for your nostalgia or your criticisms.  You live and learn.. me, well, I learn to let go."
9.  "With a fierce disposition like the beat of a drum, you get hurt more than others but you had more fun"
10.  Umm and the entire song, "Noelle, Noelle"